Author: Jordan Wilson, Senior Vice President, Franchise Development, Authority Brands
Every year, millions of Americans take a leap of faith by joining the franchising world. According to a recent economic outlook report by the International Franchising Association (IFA), the franchising industry grew by a larger-than-expected 2.2% and is expected to gain traction by adding 15,000 units and 221,000 jobs in 2024 alone.
For portfolio companies like Authority Brands, parent company to 16 leading home service brands in the U.S., growth stems from building upon this upward momentum and recruiting passionate entrepreneurs. Authority Brands has a well-established support system that attracts across varied industries, giving aspiring franchise owners with passions in the home service space the opportunity to create a successful business.
One example of this is Tom and Maryellen Heinemann’s journey with Mosquito Squad, one of the largest mosquito and tick control franchises in North America. They opened their Mosquito Squad of North Jersey franchise 12 years ago. Outdoor enthusiasts, the couple has always had their own perennial garden and consider themselves good stewards of the environment. They were attracted to Mosquito Squad’s mission to protect customers from the dangers of mosquitoes while also caring for the ecosystem. After launching their business, the Heinemanns heard from a few local beekeepers who had concerns about pest control products harming pollinators. Those questions spurred Tom and Maryellen to research raising honeybees and ignited a passion to create their own bee apiary.
Through their beekeeping experiences, the Heinemanns have learned even more about how to properly care for pollinators while also treating their customers’ yards for mosquitoes and ticks. They apply their Mosquito Squad training to identify mosquito harborage sites and beneficial plants and take great care to avoid treating blooming flowers or other plants that typically attract pollinators. They also connected with a network of dual owners and beekeepers in the system who aid in furthering knowledge of integrated pest management amongst the entire team. Working with the company’s on-staff entomologist, these beekeepers host educational seminars at Mosquito Squad’s annual meetings to highlight emerging trends within the beekeeping community.
And while starting a franchising business developed a passion for beekeeping for the Heinemanns, it was a completely different journey for Hazael Parejas. Hazael was born and raised in Peru and moved to the United States for better opportunities at the age of 14 with his mother. He was diagnosed with cancer shortly after immigrating to the U.S., and while he made a full recovery, he battled through a herniated disc and emergency back surgery shortly after that. Still focused on providing a better life for himself and his loved ones, Hazael took a job as a service technician with pet waste management company, DoodyCalls, so he could work without the risk of reinjuring himself. After making a recovery from his surgery and working in the field operations of DoodyCalls’ largest market in Washington D.C., Hazael decided to do something never seen before at the company: become the first field technician in their 20+ year history to transition to a franchise owner. He opened his first location in San Antonio, Texas, in 2021, and the success has followed him ever since.
His pursuit of and passion for the American dream drove Hazael to win the 2022 DoodyCalls Franchise Owner of the Year Award and expand his territories to include Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C., where his entrepreneurial journey first started. More importantly, franchising with DoodyCalls became a family affair for Hazael: his sister joined the company as a franchise owner in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Hazael continues to make strides in the industry and actively engages with the larger Authority Brands team as a member of the Marketing Advisory Council. Among other services, DoodyCalls provides residential dog waste removal, yard deodorizing services, brown spot treatments, and pet waste station installation and management.
For Teferi Dejene and Tsebaot Gebre, life in the franchising industry came after realizing the potential to offer others the same amazing services their two Labrador retrievers received as long-term clients of Woofie’s. The mobile grooming company, which offers dog walking, pet sitting, house sitting, and mobile pet spa visits among other services, was co-founded by Amy Addington and Leslie Barron – fellow aspiring entrepreneurs who left the corporate world behind in 2004 to pursue their passion in pet care. Amy and Leslie’s goal was to create a business that offered elevated pet care services and provided high quality care to their furry friends.
Similarly, Teferi and Tsebaot have a deep love for animals and previously both worked in corporate settings. After exploring the idea of changing career paths and owning a franchise themselves, they made their dream a reality and opened their own Woofies franchise in 2019. After overcoming multiple challenges brought on by the pandemic, Teferi and Tsebaot are now one of the brand’s best performing franchises, own four mobile pet spa vans, and were named winners of the 2022 Woofie’s Franchise of the Year Award.
Many aspiring franchise owners like these examples from Mosquito Squad, DoodyCalls and Woofie’s start their business with hopes of making a living from their passions. Fortunately, there are many sectors of the franchising industry that can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding. For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to pursue their passions, there are numerous associations, consultants, and networking opportunities to help identify what business model and industry is best for them. Franchisors like Authority Brands provide industry-leading support to help build businesses and fuel those passions. For more information on available opportunities with Authority Brands, visit www.authoritybrands.com.
Jordan Wilson is senior vice president of franchise development for Authority Brands and has over 15 years of expertise in business development sales with franchise and national brands. As the lead of Authority Brands’ entire franchise development function, Jordan’s passion is for developing people and building a results-based culture.